Continuous tape system

ABSTRACT

A TAPE HANDLER FOR AN INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS INCLUDES A SUBSTANTIALLY AIR-TIGHT ENCLOSURE WHICH INCLUDES MEANS FOR STORING AT LEAST ONE LOOP OF AN ELONGATED TAPE ADAPTED TO STORE INFORMATION ALONG A PORTION OF THE LOOP. WITHIN THE ENCLOSURE IS AN INFORMATION PROCESSING STATION WHICH INCLUDES TRANSDUCER MEANS FOR TRANSFERRING THE INFORMATIOM. MEANS ARE PROVIDED FOR CLAMPING A PORTION OF THE TAPE ON ONE SIDE OF THE LOOP IN A FIXED POSITION IN THE ENCLOSURE. FLUID CONTROL MEANS ARE ALSO PROVIDED FOR MOVING TAPE IN THE ENCLOSURE TO THE INFORMATION PROCESSING STATION, WHEREBY THE TAPE IS MOVED OUT OF THE MEANS TO STORE THE LOOP AND PAST THE INFORMATION PROCESSING STATION IN A PREDETERMINED MODE OF OPERATION WHEN THE FLUID CONTROL MEANS ARE ACTUATED IN ACCORDANCE WITH A PREDETERMINED SCHEDULDE.

April 2, 1974 1.o. FIELDGATE CONTINUOUS TAPE SYSTEM Original Filed Aug.20, 1962 vlllllltln \l\lllllll|.

INVENTOR. .fm/v 0. Hanf/vz' BY @W 4 5%.45

TTOP/VEY United States Patent O Matter enclosed in heavy brackets [lappears in the original patent but forms no part of this reissuespecification; matter printed in italics indicates the additions made byreissue.

ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE A tape handler for an information processingapparatus includes a substantially air-tight enclosure which includesmeans for storing at least one loop of an elongated tape adapted tostore information along a portion of the loop. Within the enclosure isan information processing station which includes transducer means fortransferring the information. Means are provided for clamping a portionof the tape on one side of the loop in a fixed position in theenclosure. Fluid control means are also provided for moving tape in theenclosure to the information processing station, whereby the tape ismoved out of the means to store the loop and past the informationprocessing station in a predetermined mode of operation when the fluidcontrol means are actuated in accordance with a predetermined schedulde.

This invention, generally, relates to information processing apparatusand, more particularly, to a continuous tape system for a random accessmemory apparatus.

It is a principal object of this invention to provide a new and improvedtape handler apparatus.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved randomaccess memory apparatus.

Briefly, an information processing apparatus in accordance with theinvention includes a tape handler means having an enclosure with meansto develop a plurality of loops in an elongated tape which is adapted tostore information. An information processing station includingtransducer means to transfer information is included with the tapehandler, and a lluid control means is connected with the enclosure formoving a tape in a preselected one of said loops to said informationprocessing station.

For a more complete understanding of these and other objects of thepresent invention, reference may be had to the description which followsand to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatically illustrated view of one form of theinvention; and

FIG. 2 is a slightly different form of the structure shown in FIG. 1.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a housing is formed to be substantially airtight with a plurality of bins 11, 12 and 13, although it is understoodthat any number of bins may be used, the invention being not limited tothree bins.

Each of the bins 1l, 12 and 13 is constructed to receive a loop of tape.For illustrative purposes, the bin 11 is shown with a loop 14, and thebin 13 is shown with a loop 15 therein. The loop of tape normallyreceived in the bin 12 has been withdrawn, as will be explained ingreater detail presently, and is identified by the numeral 16 and isshown in a chamber 17 positioned adjacent the bins 11, 12 and 13.

A transducer 18 is positioned suitably at a point somewhat between thechamber 17 and the loop receiving bins Reissued Apr. 2, 1974 ICC 11, 12and 13. A connection 19 is provided at the furthermost end of thechamber 17 for connecting a suitable source of vacuum, so that thcentire chamber 17 within the housing 10 is evacuated.

A valve 20 is provided at the Iowermost end of the chamber 1l, and avalve 21 is provided similarly with the bin 12. A valve 22 is providedfor the bin 13 in a similar manner to the valves 20 and 2l, so that oneof the tape loops may be selected for drawing into the chamber 17 byoperation of an appropriate valve 20, 21 or 22.

The valving action provided by valves 20, 2l and 22 may function inaccordance with any desired program, and therefore, be connectedappropriately.

At each of the positions identified by the numerals 23, 24, 25, 26, 27and 28, the tape is clamped or otherwise xedly attached. Suitableclamping can be either mechanical or pneumatic as desired.

In a random access mode of operation, a tape loop is withdrawn from aparticular bin by a variety of means including several programmingarrangements referred to above of the valves 20, 21 and 22. One suchprogram would be to apply vacuum continuously at the connection 19 andthen open one of the valves 20, 21 and 22. The tape loop in the selectedbin then would be transported by the rush of air and read by means of atransducer 18 as the tape is pulled across. After reading the tape loop,the loop is pulled back into the storage bin by releasing the vacuum atconnection 19 and applying a vacuum at its appropriate valve, such asvalve 21.

Another possible program for selecting the tape loop in a particular binis as follows. A tape loop may be withdrawn from its storage bin byconnectin g a suitable source of vacuum to the connection 19 and, at thesame time, connecting a vacuum, possibly the same vacuum as thatconnected with the connection 19, to the gates such as gates 20 and 22.This vacuum maintains the loops 14 and 15 within the bins 11 and 13.However, the gate 21 is closed, and therefore, the vacuum at connection19 will draw the loop 16 into the chamber 17.

The loop 16 is returned to its storage bin 12 by opening the valve 21 tothe vacuum and then discontinuing the application of the vacuum at theconnection 19 by closing an appropriate valve, not shown.

Referring now to the form of the invention as shown in FIG. 2, asuitable housing is indicated generally by the numeral 30 as includingat least a plurality of bins as illustrated by the three bins 31, 32 and33 containing tape loops 34, 35 and 36, respectively.

A iirst chamber 40 is positioned adjacent the plurality of bins and itsprovided with a valve 41 for controlling the connection to a suitablevacuum source. Another chamber 42 similar to the chamber 40 is providedalso adjacent the plurality of bins and has a valve 43 similar to thevalve 41.

Transducer heads 44 and 45 are positioned appropriately to readinformation on the tape as it is moved across in a manner which will bedescribed in greater detail.

In this form of the invention, it is contemplated that the tape will bexed or xedly attached only at points 46 and 47. To read the tape in acontinuous mode, that is, reading the tape continuously from bin to bin,assume that a suitable vacuum source is connected with each of thevalves 37, 38, 39, 41 and 43 and that each of these valves is controlledin a predetermined manner by a suitable programming means.

With all of the valves just mentioned in a closed position and with allof the tape loops in their respective bins, assume that valves 38, 39and 41 are opened. The tape loops 35 and 36 will be retained in theirrespective bins due to the vacuum at the valves 38 and 39, respectively.

However, the tape loop 34 will be pulled out and toward the chamber 40in a position across the head 44.

Since the tape in this form of the invention is not tixedly attached atthe intermediate points 48 and 49, a portion of the tape loop 35 will bedrawn toward the chamber 40. Now, if the valve 43 is opened, a portionof the tape will be drawn toward the chamber 42 and the loop of tape,indicated by the numeral 50 in FIG. 2, will be maintained in the chamber40 by pulling more tape from the bin 32. It may be necessary to closethe valve 38, partially at least, during this operation. As more tape isdrawn toward the chamber 42, the bin 32 may be emptied completely andthe tape loop in the bin 33 may be drawn upon.

As the tape moves across the heads 44 and 45 and read and ultimatelysubstantially filling the chamber 42, the valve 37 may be opened tobegin filling the chamber 31 again. In this manner, the entire tape maybe conveyed pneumatically by duid means from each respective chambereither in sequence or as desired to read the information stored therein.

The following claims are intended to deue the valid scope of thisinvention over the prior art and to cover all changes and modificationsfalling within the true spirit and valid scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

[1. In an information processing apparatus, a tape handler meanscomprising,

a substantially air-tight enclosure including means to store at leastone loop of an elongated tape adapted to store information along aportion of said loop,

an information processing station within said enclosure includingtransducer means to transfer said information, and

fluid control means for moving tape in said enclosure to saidinformation processing station, whereby said elongated tape is moved outof said means to store said loop past said information processingstation in a predetermined mode of operation when the fluid controlmeans is actuated in accordance with a predetermined schedule] [2. In aninformation processing apparatus, a tape handler means comprising,

a substantially air-tight enclosure including means to store a pluralityof storage loops of elongated tape adapted to store information alongportions thereof,

an information processing station within said enclosure includingtransducer means to transfer said information supported in apredetermined position within said enclosure relative to the means tostore a plurality of loops,

means to define a chamber within said enclosure on the opposite side ofsaid information station from said means to store a plurality of loops,and

iiuid control means for selecti-vely moving one of said loops to saidinformation processing station, whereby an elongated tape is moved pastsaid information processing station in a predetermined mode of operationwhen the tiuid control means is actuated in accordance with apredetermined schedule] 3. In an information processing apparatus, atape handler means comprising,

a substantially air-tight enclosure including means to define aplurality of bins to store loops of tape and at least two chambers atangles to the bins,

each of said bins having at one end an unobstructed opening into saidchambers,

at least one information processing station at a point within saidenclosure between the bins and one of the chambers, and

an air control valve connected at one end f each bin opposite saidunobstructed opening and at an end of each chamber te receive a Sourceof vacuum,

whereby an elongated tape is moved in a continuous mode of operation,past the information processing station when the air control valves areopened and closed in accordance with a predetermined schedule.

4. In an information processing apparatus, a tape handler meanscomprising,

a substantially air-tight enclosure comprising means capable of storingthe entire length of cm elongated tape in extended form in which noportion of said elongated tape is continguous with any other portionthereof and including means to store at least one loop of [an] saidelongated tape adapted to store information along a portion of saidloop,

dn information processing station within said enclosure includingtransducer means to transfer .raid information,

means for clamping a portion of said tape on one side of said loop in axed position in said enclosure, and

fluid control means for moving tape in said enclosure to saidinformation processing station, whereby said elongated tape is moved outof said means to store said loop past said information processingstation in a predetermined .mode of operation when the fluid controlmeans is actuated in accordance with a predetermined schedule.

5. The tape handler means of claim 4, and further including a secondmeans for clamping a second portion of said tape on the other side ofsaid loop in a fixed position in said enclosure.

6. The tope handler means of claim 4, wherein said means for storing isa bin, a chember is disposed adjacent said bin, said bin having anunobstructed opening into said chamber, whereby said loop moves fromsaid bin into said chamber when said fluid control means is actuated.

7. The tape handler means of claim 6, and further including means forclamping o second portion of said tape on the other side of said loop ind fixed position in said enclosure, and both of said clamping means aredisposed between said bin and said chamber on opposite sides of saidunobstructed opening.

8. The tope handler means of claim 4, wherein said airtight enclosureincludes means to store a plurality of storage loops of elongated tapeadapted to store information along portions thereof, said transducer issupported in a predetermined position within said enclosure relative tothe means to store a plurality of loops, means to define a chamberwithin said enclosure is disposed on the opposite side of saidinformation station from said means to store a plurality of loops, dndsaid fluid control means is capable of selectively moving one of saidloops to said information processing station, whereby an elongated tapeis moved past said information processing station in a predeterminedmode of operation when the fluid control means is actuated in accordancewith a predetermined schedule.

References Cited The following references, cited by the Examiner, are ofrecord in the patented file of this patent or the original patent.

UNITED STATES PATENTS RICHARD A. SCHACHER, Primary Examiner Us. Ct. XR.226-113, 11s

Patent No.

Inventods) L o- FIELDGATE It is certified that error appears in theabove-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are herebycorrected as shown below:

Column 4, line 9, "continguous" should read contiguous.

Signed and sealed this 6th day of August 19V/4.

(SEAL) Attest:

McCOY M. GIBSON, JR. C. MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer Commissioner ofPatents

